Introduction: Although it is discouraged, community pharmacy customers can obtain oral corticosteroids (OCSs) without prescriptions from some community pharmacies in Iraq. Medication abuse is defined as the use of medication for non-medical reasons. Objectives: The study aimed to determine demographics, beliefs, and perceptions associated with the abuse of oral corticosteroids for non-illness reasons among community pharmacy customers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in fall 2018 in four provinces in Iraq. Customers of 19 community pharmacies asking for OCSs for themselves without a prescription were administered a paper survey. This study used the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to measure the relationship between the motivational factors and the abuse of OCSs. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationships between the use of OCSs for non-illness and six TRA factors: Normative belief, behavioral belief, evaluation of the behavior, motivation to comply, subjective norms and attitude toward behavior. Results: The study enrolled 141 participants (98 women and 43 men) taking asking for OCSs without prescription. Dexamethasone was the most commonly used OCSs (59.6%). Friends were the primary recommenders for corticosteroids abuse (28.4%). The main reasons for using OCSs were to increase appetite and gain weight (53.9 %). Approximately one-third (36.2 %) of the participants gained weight after using OCSs. The regression analysis of the TRA variables showed two factors were significantly related to the abuse of OCSs. Age had a significant inverse relationship with the abuse of OCSs and the "good appearance" belief had a significant positive association with OCS abuse. Conclusion: Some Iraqi community pharmacy customers use non-prescribed oral corticosteroids to increase appetite and gain weight. Improve body appearance represents the dominant incentive that urges people to use OCSs without prescription. Health officials and healthcare practitioners need to promote people's awareness about the risks of misusing OCSs through education programs and advertisements in public health settings, media, and social media. Article Type: Original Research
New trends in teaching and learning theory are considered a theoretical axis
from which came the background that depends on any source, or practice sample or
teaching plane, accuracy and simplicity prevent the development of the teaching
process. Many attempts have come to scene to illuminate the teaching background,
but they have not exceed those remarkable patterns and methods. Thus, the
appearance of the teaching theory have been hindered.
This led to the need for research and development in the field of teaching to
find out a specific teaching theory according to the modern trends and concepts.
Teaching is regarded a humanitarian process which aims at helping those who
want to acquire knowledge, since teach
The birth of Multiple Intelligence (MI) theory has revolutionized traditional education since the twentieth century. Howard Gardner, the pioneer of this theory, believed that each learner has a unique way of acquiring information. This paper investigates how the New Headway Plus for Upper-Intermediate-Third Edition, a standard EFL textbook in Iraqi universities, can cater to the diverse MI profiles of Iraqi EFL learners. It evaluates the success or failure of senior undergraduates in actively engaging with different learning styles and activities in the classroom. The study maps the distribution of nine distinct modes of MI theory across all 12 Units_ Logic/Mathematical, Verbal/Linguistic, Musical, Bodily/Kinesthetic, Visual/Spatial, Natura
... Show MoreBackground This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of once-daily liraglutide as an add-on to oral antidiabetics (OADs) on glycemic control and body weight in obese patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods A total of 27 obese T2D patients who received 7 months (0.6 mg/day for the first month, 1.2 mg/day for 3 months, and 1.8 mg/day for 3 months) of liraglutide treatment as an add-on to OADs were included. Data on body weight (kg), fasting plasma glucose (FPG, mg/dL), postprandial glucose (PPG, mg/dL), and HbA1c (%), were recorded. Results Liraglutide doses of 1.2 mg/day and 1.8 mg/day were associated with significant decreases in body weight (by 8.0% and 11.9%, respectively, p < 0.01 for each) and HbA1c (by 20.0
... Show MoreIt is clear that correct application of antibiotic prophylaxis can reduce the incidence of infection resulting from the bacterial inoculation in a variety of clinical situations; it cannot prevent all infections any more than it can eliminate all established infections. Optimum antibiotic prophylaxis depends on: rational selection of the drug(s), adequate concentrations of the drug in the tissues that are at risk, and attention to timing of administration. Moreover, the risk of infection in some situations does not outweigh the risks which attend the administration of even the safest antibiotic drug. The aim of this study was to comp
... Show MoreIt is clear that correct application of antibiotic prophylaxis can reduce the incidence of infection resulting from the bacterial inoculation in a variety of clinical situations; it cannot prevent all infections any more than it can eliminate all established infections. Optimum antibiotic prophylaxis depends on: rational selection of the drug(s), adequate concentrations of the drug in the tissues that are at risk, and attention to timing of administration. Moreover, the risk of
... Show MoreBackground: Candida albicans is a prevalent commensal that can cause severe health problems in humans. One such condition that frequently returns after treatment is oral candidiasis. Aim: the goal of this research is to evaluate the efficiency of 940 nm as a fungicidal on the growth of Candida albicans in vitro. Material and Methods: In vitro samples (fungal swabs) were taken from the oral cavity of 75 patients suffering from oral thrush. Following the process of isolating and identifying Albicans. The samples are divided into four groups:(Group 1): Suspension of C. albicans was put in a solution of saline as a control group. (Group 2): Suspension of C. albicans that had been treated with nystatin. (Group 3): Suspension of C. albica
... Show MoreBackground: Candida albicans is a prevalent commensal that can cause severe health problems in humans. One such condition that frequently returns after treatment is oral candidiasis. Aim: the goal of this research is to evaluate the efficiency of 940 nm as a fungicidal on the growth of Candida albicans in vitro. Material and Methods: In vitro samples (fungal swabs) were taken from the oral cavity of 75 patients suffering from oral thrush. Following the process of isolating and identifying Albicans. The samples are divided into four groups:(Group 1): Suspension of C. albicans was put in a solution of saline as a control group. (Group 2): Suspension of C. albicans that had been treated wit
... Show MoreEnhanced oil recovery is used in many mature oil reservoirs to increase the oil recovery factor. Surfactant flooding has recently gained interest again. To create micro emulsions at the interface between crude oil and water, surfactant flooding is the injection of surfactants (and co-surfactants) into the reservoir, thus achieving very low interfacial tension, which consequently assists mobilize the trapped oil.
In this study a flooding system, which has been manufactured and described at high pressure. The flooding processes included oil, water and surfactants. 15 core holders has been prepared at first stage of the experiment and filled with washed sand grains 80-500 mm and then packing the sand to obtain sand packs
... Show MoreOften phenomena suffer from disturbances in their data as well as the difficulty of formulation, especially with a lack of clarity in the response, or the large number of essential differences plaguing the experimental units that have been taking this data from them. Thus emerged the need to include an estimation method implicit rating of these experimental units using the method of discrimination or create blocks for each item of these experimental units in the hope of controlling their responses and make it more homogeneous. Because of the development in the field of computers and taking the principle of the integration of sciences it has been found that modern algorithms used in the field of Computer Science genetic algorithm or ant colo
... Show More